How to Access the Android 12 Privacy Dashboard

This article explains how to access the Privacy Dashboard in Android 12. We'll also discuss the different categories of information you can find here.

How Do I Open the Privacy Dashboard in Android 12?

Like most Android updates, Android 12 changes how some of the settings menus are categorized. Once you know your way around, though, you'll be able to get to the Privacy Dashboard without any trouble at all. For now, you can follow the easy steps below to get started.

1. From the App Drawer, open Settings.

2. Scroll down and tap on Privacy.

3. Select Privacy Dashboard.

What Kind of Information Can I Find in the Privacy Dashboard?

Once inside the Privacy Dashboard, you'll be able to see several tidbits of information in 12 categories. These include Location, Camera, Microphone, Body Sensors, Calendar, Call Logs, Contacts, Files and Media, Nearby Devices, Phone, Physical Activity, and SMS.

You can look under the category names for the total number of applications that have used that data in the last 24 hours. Tapping on any of the applications listed will open another window. This window provides detail about when your various apps accessed that data. If an application has accessed that particular data in the last day, the Privacy Dashboard will notate the time it accessed the data. You can use it to keep a close eye on whether or not apps are accessing your information when you aren't aware of it.

If you want to manage the permissions for an application, all you need to do is tap on that application's name. It should bring up a new option to allow or block tracking of the chosen data.

Is the Privacy Dashboard App Safe?

It's always good to be wary of new apps you just discovered, but you can rest easy knowing the Privacy Dashboard app built into Android 12 is perfectly safe. Google's Android teams designed the application to offer an excellent overview of how your private data is managed and which apps manage it. It's a great way to keep third-party apps you download from the Google Play Store in check, and you shouldn't be afraid to use the Privacy Dashboard app.

Additionally, Google makes it very easy to manage the permissions for apps within the dashboard, making it even more helpful for people who download many third-party apps. Android 12 also allows you to block apps from tracking your private information. It's another way to keep those apps in check.

Ultimately, if you're running an Android phone, you should consider paying attention to the Privacy Dashboard to ensure no apps are accessing your data without your permission.